Summary of Grades

Pennsylvania scores at or above average in two of the four graded policy categories in Quality Counts.

The state receives an average grade for standards and accountability. Pennsylvania earns full credit for its academic standards, which have been rated clear, specific, and grounded in content in the four core subjects by the American Federation of Teachers. But the high marks are counterbalanced by a weak showing on the assessment and school accountability indicators.

Pennsylvania posts its highest grade in teacher quality. This strong showing stems, in part, from its policies on teacher assessment and accountability. Prospective teachers must pass a comprehensive battery of tests to receive an initial license, while veteran teachers must undergo classroom observations for advanced certification.

The state scores below average on measures of school climate. Pennsylvania lacks regulations related to school bullying and does not finance programs to reduce bullying or harassment. However, the state performs well on indicators of student engagement and receives a relatively high rating for the strength of its charter school law from the Center for Education Reform.

In resource equity, Pennsylvania again scores below the average state. The state struggles on its wealth-neutrality score, indicating that per-pupil funding levels are considerably higher in its wealthier districts than in its poorer districts.